Power play(1) At this time of renewed political idealism in the country, director Judith Swift has labeled the London setting of An Ideal Husband , at the Gamm through December 7, as "inspired by the 19th century, set in the 20th century, reflected in the 21st century."

Abuse and power Enhanced Interrogation Techniques, the four one-act plays at the Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre is not for the squeamish, but not in the way you think.

Cries and whispers Mental illness is a touchy subject, one that needs to be handled sensitively on stage or not at all.

Talking ’bout a revolution It takes a theatrical genius like Tom Stoppard to come up with Rock ’n’ Roll, which merges the pulsing spirit of both until they feel like one. And it takes a theater of the caliber of the Gamm to make history feel like a Stones concert that becomes a political rally.

Sleight of hand Ricky Jay laughs when I tell him he reminds me of Fred Astaire.

Ho-ho woes The humor of David Sedaris is infectious because it comes out so naturally, like a hacking cough that he’s worried about but is trying to make light of.

Edmond If the notion of Stuart Gordon, who made the cult hit Re-Animator , directing David Mamet material sounds odd, bear in mind that Gordon cut his teeth with Mamet in the Chicago theater. Watch the trailer for Edmond (QuickTime)

Mars vs. Venus It’s been 21 years since Speed-the-Plow first milked the cravenness of Hollywood and the self-described “whores” who turn its celluloid tricks. But David Mamet’s scathing, staccato comedy has held up at least as well as Madonna, who made her Broadway debut in the original 1988 production.

REASONS TO BELIEVE (OR NOT) | September 24, 2014 To non-believers, the evangelical movement can look like a loud, friendly party whose invitation we’ve politely declined, but whose windows sooner or later we can’t help peeking into.

MYTHS AND DREAMS | September 24, 2014 This play stringings together bedtime stories and fevered hallucinations.

GENDER BENDERS | September 17, 2014 Gender confusion has probably been around for as long as gender conflicts.

SIMONE'S | September 17, 2014 In the Rhode Island tradition of giving directions like “it’s where the coffee milk factory used to be,” Simone’s is located where Not Your Average Bar & Grille and the ice cream shop Supreme Dairy used to be.